For the month of May, Defying Shadows will be joining the Mental Health Awareness Month by sharing a post daily on a different type of Mental Illness or “Shadow” that people commonly struggle with. Join us in creating awareness and working to end the stigma that goes with these topics! Today we have Nichole sharing on Nightmare Disorder. ~ Defying Shadows Team.
Nightmare Disorder, also known as Parasomnia is a type of sleep disorder that involves undesirable experiences that occur when you are either falling asleep, during your sleep, or when you are waking up. Nightmares usually occur during the stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM).
For those who have experienced what a nightmare feels like, you can relate to the feeling of fear, terror and/or anxiety that is caused by these vivid nighttime events. When you have a nightmare you can be abruptly awakened from your sleep and are able to describe the detailed dream content, but returning to sleep is usually difficult. Nightmares can be caused by many different factors including but not limited to illness, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or negative reactions to medication. If you have nightmares that occur more than once a week or if your nightmares prevent you from getting a good night’s keep for a long period of time, it is very important to see a doctor.
Nichole is a Social Media Marketing Manager and a Non-Profit Movement supporter. She grew up on a farm where she learned what it means to work hard and what is involved in being successful. She is an avid coffee lover who enjoys a good movie or book. She takes great joy in organizing, scheduling, and volunteering. Her passion for volunteerism extends specifically to those who are hurting, whether it is emotionally, physically, or mentally.
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